Spyderco Grasshopper™ Stainless Folding Knife | C138P | 12C27 Sandvik Steel | Stainless Handle | Keychain & Gift Instrument

The Experience

The Grasshopper Stainless is the original expression of Spyderco's largest insect — a penknife-sized slipjoint with a 2.3-inch blade, a smooth stainless steel handle, and a presence that consistently surprises anyone who picks it up expecting a novelty and discovers a genuinely capable field instrument. The handle is satin-finished stainless steel throughout — chamfered at the edges to eliminate any sharp corners, laser engraved with the Spyderco bug logo, and smooth enough to accept custom engraving cleanly. The blade is 12C27 Sandvik stainless steel — the same Swedish alloy carried by the G-10 variants — plain edge, full flat ground to a thin, efficient cutting geometry. No lock. No clip. Just the essential Grasshopper platform in its most refined, most gift-ready, most permanently carry-able expression. Thread it onto a keychain. Wear it on a necklace chain. Engrave a name, a date, a wildlife motif on the handle. Or carry it exactly as it comes — because at 1.4 ounces and 2.77 inches closed, it earns its place on the keychain without requiring any justification at all.

Scientific Engineering

• 12C27 Sandvik Steel — Full Flat Ground: The 2.3-inch blade is crafted from 12C27 — a Swedish stainless steel manufactured by Sandvik with 13.5% chromium content, heat-treated for an excellent balance of edge retention, corrosion resistance, and ease of sharpening. Full flat grinding produces a thin, consistent taper from spine to edge for maximum slicing efficiency — a meaningful upgrade from entry-level 3Cr13 stainless in a knife at this size and price point.
• Slipjoint Mechanism — Resistant Pivot Pressure: The Grasshopper's slipjoint holds the blade open through resistant pressure at the pivot area — a traditional, non-locking design that keeps the blade securely open during cutting while remaining legal in virtually every jurisdiction that permits folding knives.
• Trademark Round Hole™ One-Handed Opening: Spyderco's signature round hole allows smooth, reliable one-handed deployment — far more accessible than a traditional nail nick on a knife this compact.
• Stainless Steel Handle — Chamfered & Engraving Ready: The satin-finished stainless handle is chamfered at all edges — eliminating squared-off corners that dig into the hand during extended use. The smooth, flat surface is laser engraved with the Spyderco bug logo and provides ample blank area for custom engraving, monogramming, or other personalization. The perfect palette for a gift that means something.
• Keychain/Lanyard Configuration: A generously sized lanyard hole at the handle end accommodates keychain attachment, necklace chain wear, or pack lanyard — multiple carry configurations without additional hardware.
• Clipless Design: The Grasshopper's clipless profile keeps it minimal and snag-free — riding flat in a watch pocket or on a keychain without the bulk of a conventional clip knife.

Boutique & Conservation Values

• The Gift Standard — Grasshopper Scale: If the Bug Stainless is the thoughtful keychain gift, the Grasshopper Stainless is its older sibling — the one with a 2.3-inch blade that actually handles real cutting tasks, a smooth handle that accepts engraving beautifully, and a size that feels substantial in the hand without being conspicuous in the pocket. For the naturalist, the estate steward, or the field professional in your life — this is the one they'll carry every day.
• The Original Expression: The stainless Grasshopper is the original design — the baseline against which the G-10 variants are measured. Not a lesser knife. The essential one.
• Country of Origin: China
• Spyderco Warranty: Every Grasshopper™ Stainless is backed by Spyderco's manufacturer warranty against defects in materials and workmanship.

Specifications

• Blade Length: 2.3" (58mm)
• Blade Thickness: 0.098" (2.5mm)
• Blade Steel: 12C27 Sandvik Stainless Steel
• Blade Finish: Satin
• Blade Grind: Full Flat
• Overall Length: 5.07" (129mm)
• Closed Length: 2.77" (70mm)
• Handle Material: Stainless Steel
• Lock Type: Slipjoint (non-locking)
• Weight: 1.4 oz. (40g)
• Carry System: Lanyard hole, clipless
• Country of Origin: China
• Shipping Weight: 1 lb. (estimated)
• Warranty: Spyderco Manufacturer Warranty